Former Benton County Sheriff Arrested for Assault

Arrested early Sunday morning

Former Benton County Sheriff Arrested for Assault

Copyright 2018 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Video

BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA) -- Former Benton County Sheriff, Kelley Cradduck, was arrested Sunday morning for a reported assault on a family member.

According to the Benton County Detention Center's website, 47-year-old Cradduck was booked by the Rogers Police Department just after midnight on Sunday.

He faces charges of third degree assault on a family our household member. It is listed as a misdemeanor.

On Saturday, August 11, 2018, Officer J. Martin was dispatched to a domestic disturbance at 925 S. Lafayette St. after receiving an anonymous call regarding disturbance, according to the affidavit.

James Kelley Cradduck and the victim were at the front door when officials arrived on scene, Martin said.

He then asked the victim to wait in the driveway while speaking to Kelley, as he prefers to be called.

Kelley said there was no disturbance and he and the victim had simply gotten into a verbal argument solely about his drinking.

Kelley also said there had been no physical contact between him and the victim.

There was an odor of alcoholic beverages omitting from Kelley, however his speech was not slurred and he did not seem intoxicated, Martin said.

Kelley said he has a right to drink in his own home, but the victim has an issue with his drinking. Again, Kelley said it was just an argument.

He also said the victim was upset because he has hidden several of her Michael Korr's bags in the house and she thought he had destroyed them.

After observation, there were no visible signs of an injury on Kelley's exposed legs, hands, arms and neck, according to authorities.

Officer Garcia arrived on scene to assist Martin and stay with Kelley while Martin spoke with the victim, Police said.

The victim said she had texted a friend and told him she and Kelley were fighting. She never provided the identity of the caller.

The victim explained there had been numerous instances of domestic violence between her and Kelley but she felt trapped, Martin said.

She identified the main issue and cause of this argument as drinking, the victim said. She also sad she has a moral issue with alcohol and does not want it in her home.

The victim told Martin that Kelley becomes aggressive and does not realize how strong he is, Martin said.

Kelley and the victim began arguing of his drinking, the cleanliness of their home and many other issues, the victim said.

She was in the bathroom arguing with Kelley and as she walked away Kelley pushed her down, the victim said.

A video of the incident showed the victim saying “Kelley stop while Kelley said “please leave me alone,” according to police. The victim then yelled “where are my purses” and screamed “get off of me, stop.”

A loud rustling is heard and the victim screams for Kelley to stop. The victim then tells Kelley she is having him arrested.

The victim had no visible signs of injuries on the exposed portions of her legs, hands and arms, Martin said. The victim told Martin she felt in danger and afraid.

Kelley is under arrest for 3rd degree Assault of a Family or Household Member, according to the affidavit. Kelley was transported to BCSO to be held for a no contact order.

Officer Garcia conducted a Laura's Law Lethality Assessment on the victim and provided her with a Laura's Law Pamphlet.

This is not the first time Cradduck has had a run-in with the law.

He was arrested back in January 2016 while in position as sheriff for felony tampering with evidence charges.

At the time, he was accused by employees of asking them to falsify records and demoting them for alerting Arkansas State Police on the matter.

He resigned, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor tampering charge and was given six months probation.

Copyright 2018 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.